Ma’an Governorate

About Ma’an Governorate

• Ma'an (Arabic: مَعان, romanized: Maʿān) is a city in southern Jordan, 218 kilometres (135 mi) southwest of the capital Amman. It serves as the capital of the Ma'an Governorate. This governorate is the largest in the kingdom of Jordan by area. Civilizations with the name of Ma'an have existed at least since the Nabatean period—the modern city is just northwest of the ancient town. The city is an important transport hub situated on the ancient King's Highway and also on the modern Desert Highway.
• Although Ma'an Governorate has the largest area of the 12 governorates that constitute the Kingdom of Jordan, it has the lowest population density: less than 4 persons per square km. It has international borders with Saudi Arabia from the east and south, and borders Aqaba, Tafilah, and Karak governorates from the west, and Amman Governorate from the north.

Geographical location

• Ma'an Kasbah Brigade, Petra Brigade, Shobak Brigade, and Al-Husseiniya Brigade

Cities, towns, and villages

Climate

Archeological sites

• The Founding King’s Palace or Ma'an Palace.
• Ma'an Castle, also called Saraya.
• The City of Petra
• Little Petra (Arabic: البتراء الصغيرة, al-batrā aṣ-ṣaġïra),
• Montreal (Arabic: مونتريال), or Qal'at ash-Shawbak (قلعة الشوبك) in Arabic.
• Udhruh (Arabic: اذرح)

Jordanian cuisine

• Mansaf (المنسف): Jordan is distinguished by its Mansaf food, which is not complete without “Jameed Al Karaki”. Mansaf is a dish made of rice, syrup, meat, and local ghee. The drink is liquefied jameed and is originally made of milk.
• Makmoura: It is a well-known dish in the villages of northern Jordan.
• Kibbeh or kebab: It is one of the dishes that is prepared in all regions, as its spread extended from the villages north of Irbid, such as the villages of Bani Kenana.
• Al-Mutabbaq (Mutabbaq): It is known as one of the good dishes in the villages of Al-Taybeh and Al-Wasatiya Districts, and it is smaller than Al-Makmoura.
• Maqluba/Magluba (مقلوبة): A casserole made of layers of rice, vegetables and meat. After cooking, the pot is flipped upside-down onto the plate when served, hence the name maqluba which translates literally as "upside-down".
  
• Musakhan (مسخّن): Dish composed of roasted chicken baked with onions, sumac, allspice, saffron, and fried pine nuts served over taboon bread. It is also known as muhammar (Arabic: محمر).
  
• Maftul (مفتول): Large couscous-like balls, garbanzo beans and chicken pieces cooked in chicken broth.
  
• aldafin Freekeh (فريكة)
• Al-Jajil (Kaakil or Shaashil), all Jordanian governorates share the same popular dishes, due to the similarity between the regions and are considered one of the popular dishes.
• Shishbarak (ششبرك): Also known as Joshpara. A sort of dumpling or jiaozi dish. After being stuffed with ground beef and spices, thin wheat dough parcels are cooked with jameed then served hot. Another name for this dish is shishbarak.
• Galayet bandora (قلاية بندورة): Tomatoes sauteed and stewed with onions, olive oil, salt, and hot peppers, it can be served with rice but is more commonly eaten with bread in Jordan,It is indispensable for all classes of people in all governorates.
• Falafel (فلافل): Balls of fried chickpea flour and Middle Eastern spice. Dipped in every mezze, especially hummus. The Jordanian falafel balls tend to come in smaller sizes.
• Hummus, Ful medames (حمص وفول مدمس): These are foods usually served for breakfast, especially on Fridays. They are also served as appetizers for lunch and dinner.

• Sour rice (الرز الحامض): It is rice and onions with local ghee and is often served on holidays and occasions.
• Almujalala (المجللة): It is a special bread called (Mujalila Bread (خبز مجللة)) that is well mashed. Some of it is cooked with local ghee and tomatoes, and some is cooked with local ghee and local jameed yogurt. It is often served on holidays and occasions with sour button.

Sweets

• Baklava (بقلاوة)—a dessert made with thin layers of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in honey or syrup.
• Knafeh (كُنافة)—a cheese pastry of shredded phyllo soaked in sugar-based syrup.
• Qatayef (قطايف)—a sweet dumpling stuffed with cream and pistachios. Consumed during Ramadan.
• Warbat (وربات)—a pastry of thin layers of phyllo pastry filled with custard. Often eaten during the month of Ramadan.

Area and population

• Population of Ma'an Governorate: (187,600)
• Governorate area:- (32,832 km²) (12,677 mi²)